Surface skimmer



July 30, 1968 F. J. LOWES, JR 3,394,944

SURFACE SKIMMER Filed July 27, 1966 1 is W20 Z 20 INVENTOR. Frederick J Lon/6.5;, Jr.

United States Patent 3,394,944 SURFACE SKIMMER Frederick J. Lowes, Jr., 500 Crescent Drive, Midland, Mich. 48640 Filed July 27, 1966, Ser. No. 568,311 8 Claims. (Cl. 280-42) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention is a surface skimming apparatus particularly adapted for use on a snow covered terrain characterized by an essentially fiat top surface and a bottom surface formed in such a manner as to have a smooth and decreasing radius of curvature at the sides when compared to the center.

The present invention relates to a surface skimming apparatus and more particularly is concerned with a novel apparatus particularly adapted for use on snow covered terrain.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a novel surface skimming device for use on snow covered terrain. It is a further object to provide a novel recreational unit which provides for a high degree of maneuverability and control when utilized in gravity descent down snow covered slopes. It is also an object to provide a recreational unit which not only can be controlled as to direction by the operator when in free flight downhill descents but also serves to develop skill and balance in the operator. It is another object to provide a maneuverable member for use on snowy slopes which can be controllably turned on a markedly shorter turning radius than can be achieved with skiis, sleds, toboggans and the like.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description presented hereinafter when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation view of one embodiment of the surface skimming unit of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a top view of the unit shown in FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along line of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along line of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along line of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken along line of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken along line of FIGURE 1.

In general, the snow skimming device of the present invention comprises an elongated platform like member having asubstantially fiat upper surface and a rounded convex curved tapered bottom. The unit is characterized in that it possesses a slenderness ratio (ratio of distance along midpoint from end to end/distance across unit at widest point) of from about 3 to about 10 and preferably from about 3 to about 6. It also has a thickness ratio (distance across unit at widest point/ distance through unit at point of greatest depth) of from about 1.5 to about 35 and preferably about 10.

Specifically with regard to the curved bottom, this portion of the unit tapers gradually lengthwise from the front to a point of greatest depth at from about /2 to about A; of the distance along the length of the unit and then curves up more sharply to the back end. Of critical importance to operability in the present unit is the convex curved cross section about this deepest point; i.e., balance point of the unit.

til

This section is curved in cross sections both with respect to the sides of the unit and the portions at about the balance point and rearward thereof so as to provide a substantially tapered surface having an increasing radius of curvature as it enters from the side of the center line of the bottom. With this unique bottom configurtion, as the unit is canted sidewards during operation, the terrain is contacted with a reduced radius of curvature in the manner of a tapered roller bearing thereby turning, i.e., pivoting, the unit to a direction indicated by the canting operation.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in the figures of the drawing. This embodiment comprises a tapered elongated unit 10 having a slenderness ratio of from about 3 to about 6 and preferably about 4. Usually the width at the widest point is from about 9 to about 18 inches, the length is from about 36 to about 72 inches, and the maximum depth is from about /4 inch to about 4 inches. Preferably, the length is about 48 inches, the point of greatest width is about 12 inches, and the maximum depth about 1% inches. The unit 10 has a substantially flat upper surface 12.

The front end 15 of the skimming member 10 is rounded. When viewed from the top, the member 10 tapers uniformly outwardly on both sides in a gradual smooth continuous manner from a narrow nose 15 to a point of maximum wideness at about the point of balance, about of the distance along the length of the board. The rear end 16 of the skimming board member 10 is also rounded, when viewed from the top, but is wider than the thin nosed front end 15.

Each side of the unit 10 defines a narrow vertical flat surface 18, the bottom edge 20 of which is substantially parallel to the upper surface 12 of the skimming member 10. This surface 18 extends substantially from the front end to approximately the point of maximum width of the board 10. This plane essentially parallel surface 18 terminates by changing into a curved section 22 at about the point of balance as viewed from the side.

The curved section 22 in turn also serves as the defining upper and outer edge of the bottom 24 at the requisite position on the board for turning control during operation. The bottom 24 at about this balance point defines a convex curved surface both when viewed from the side as well as the front and back. This portion of the bottom 24 on both sides of unit 10 further is formed such that they are substantially identical but mirror image curved surfaces of increasing radius from the edge 22 to the center line of the bottom 24.

The forward bottom surface 24 in front of the changing radius of curvature section near the balance point ordinarily is uniformly curved in cross sections and tapers gradually from the deepest point of the bottom 24 towards the front 15, where it connects with the bottom edge 20, of vertical plane surface 18 which extends around the front end 15 of the unit 10. The radius of curvature both in cross-section and along the length of the forward portion of the bottom 24 of the skimmer unit 10 is not critical except that this tapers upwardly to provide a relatively thin nose 15. This assures that the front end of the skimmer 10 is maintained above the surface of the snowy terrain during operation and does not engage or dig into the snow.

Alternately, the front end 15 of the skimming board 10 can be turned up slightly in the manner of a ski to keep the front end of the skimming apparatus above the terrain surface during operation.

The rear portion of the board 10, as mentioned hereinbefore, ordinarily also defines a curved section wherein there is a decreasing radius from the center of the bottom at or near the point of balance and around the back end 16. This section is substantially of the same configura tion as that defined hereinbefore for turning controls about the point of balance and provides the advantage of additional control during operation when the operator leans or shifts the body weight backwards on the board 10.

Usually a high friction plate or pad 11 is mounted on the upper surface 12 to cover at least that portion of the board 10 around the point of balance. This provides a high assurance of operator contact with the unit during operation and minimizes the possibility of slippage. Ordinarily, this pad 26 is relatively long and narrow, being of a width so as to comfortably accommodate the operators feet when placed side by side or one ahead of the other. If desired, the entire upper surface 12 of the board 10 can be covered with a slip resistant material.

Further, it is to be understood that the upper surface 12 of the snow surface skimmer 10 can be fitted with at least one foot holder (not shown) of the type conventionally employed on water skiis, for example. In larger units, up to four of such foot holders can be mounted along the length of the board for tandem riding.

Likewise a rope, cable, rod, or other type hand holding devices (not shown) alternatively can be provided extending upward from the top surface 12 near the front end 15, if desired.

At least one groove 28, alternatively can be incorporated into the center of the bottom surface 24 extend ing lengthwise along at least that portion of the board It in the vicinity of the balance point. Usually in addition to the center, groove 28, if employed. other spaced apart parallel grooves 30 near the sides also are fabricated into the bottom surface 24 of the skimmer 10. The number of these is not critical; ordinarily, however, three grooves, one in the center and one each near the side edge 20 are employed. These serve to provide stability and increased tracking ability when the skimmer 10 is being directed in substantially straight forward movement over a terrain.

The recreational unit of the present invention can be fabricated from wood, polymeric resins such as, for example, polystyrene, epoxys, rigid polyethylene and the like; light metals, e.g. magnesium, aluminum and their alloys, hard rubbers, and other relatively light weight materials having the requisite forming characteristics and strength at the operating temperatures.

The bottom surface 24 over that portion at least which contacts the snow can be covered with wax or provided with a polyethylene, perfluorocarbon or the like, surface skin or coating which exhibits a low coeflicient of friction with snow.

The slip resistant top surface or pad 26 for use with the skimming unit of the present invention can be of any suitable skid resistant material. Illustrative substances include rubber abrasives covered or impregnated rubbers and plastics, conventional non-slip paints and other similar surface coatings and the like. Those materials which are applied like paints can be brushed, rolled, sprayed or otherwise contacted with the upper surface of the board. Mat, sheet and other separate non-skid surfaces can be screwed, stapled, adhesively joined, or fastened to the board by other means known to one skilled in the art.

The snow skimming board unit itself can be shaped from a unitary piece of material, or formed in sections and these then rigidly and firmly can be attached together to provide the shaped structure of the invention. With certain materials of construction the unit can be cast or molded. Also, a rib-strut framework can be made and this then covered with a thin durable skin on the outer surface.

A light-weight embodiment can be made by expanding polymeric beads, e.g. expandable polystyrene, in a mold and then covering the resultant core with a dent-resistant surface material. It is to be understood the fabrication of the recreation unit of the present invention is not limited to these forming means; these methods are listed merely for illustrative purposes.

In operating the snow surface skimmer of the present invention, the operator usually positions one foot on the upper surface approximately at the balance point. The other foot usually is placed forward although both feet can be placed side by side on the board. In some instances, particularly where the board is designed with the requisite decreasing radius of curvature around the back end, the second foot is placed behind the first foot. This provides additional turning control as will be pointed out directly hereinafter.

The board is started down a snow covered incline. As the skimmer moves down the slope, control of speed and turning is achieved by shifting the body weight sideways. As the weight, i.e., point of body balance, is moved toward a side the upper surface of the board is canted toward the ground on this side. Because of the novel decreasing radius of curvature design, as the weight is shifted, the board turns in that direction across the face of the slope thus being both turned and slowed down.

Further control may be achieved by, in addition to shifting the body weight sideways as hereinbefore described, the body weight is also shifted rearward to bring into contact with the snow surface the even greater curvature on the side and rearward of the point of balance.

For a substantially straight ride down a hill at con trolled speed, the operators can rapidly shift their weights from side to side thus providing a fish tail effect wherein speed is controlled but a generally straight line course is followed.

With those boards having the decreasing radius of curvature around the back, still further control is achieved. This alternative embodiment also provides the additional advantage of assuring directional control on lumpy terrain since the front end or nose of the skimmer can be elevated. This serves to insure that there is no abrupt deceleration from the nose striking a protruding knob, stump, or other configuration on the hill.

Various modifications can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof for it is understood that I limit myself only as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A surface skimming unit which, comprises an elongated member having a substantially flat upper surface and a curved bottom surface, the ratio of the distance along the midpoint from end to end to distance across the unit at its widest point ranging from about 3 to about 10, the curved bottom surface of said unit tapering gradually from the front end to the point of greatest depth at from about /2 to about A; of the distance along the length of said unit and curving up sharply near the back end of said unit, the curved section of said bottom of said unit at about the point of greatest depth further being characterized as providing a substantially tapered surface having an increasing radius of curvature as it extends from the side to about the center of the bottom of said unit, the point of greatest depth also being substantially the balance point of said unit.

2. The surface skimming unit as defined in claim 1 having a ratio of length to distance across the widest point of from about 3 to about 6.

3. The surface skimming unit as defined in claim 2 which tapers uniformly outwardly on both sides in a gradual smooth continuous manner from a narrow front end to a point of maximum width at about A of the distance along the length of the board, the point of maximum width also corresponding substantially to the point of greatest depth of the bottom surface of said unit and being substantially the point of balance of said unit, each side of said unit defining a narrow vertical flat surface the bottom edge of which is substantially parallel to the upper surface of said unit, said vertical fiat side surfaces extending substantially from the front end of said unit to about the point of maximum width of said unit, said vertical fiat surface terminating in a curved section, said curved section serving as the upper and outer edge of the bottom of said unit, the bottom surface of said unit at this point defining a convex curved surface of increasing radius of curvature as it extends from the side to the center line of the bottom when viewed from the side, front and back, the forward bottom surface of said unit in front of said curved section of increasing radius at about the point of greatest depth and width being substantially uniformly curved in cross section and tapering gradually towards the front of said unit.

4. The skimming unit as defined in claim 3 and having a high friction surface over at least that portion of the substantially flat upper surface about the point of greatest width and depth, said high friction surface being of a length and width such that it accommodates at least one foot of an operator.

5. The skimming unit as defined in claim 3 and having a groove in the center line of the bottom surface at least in the vicinity of the point of balance of said unit.

6. The skimming unit as defined in claim 5 and having at least one additional groove on each side of said groove along the center line, said grooves each being spaced apart from the center groove and parallel thereto.

7. The skimming unit as defined in claim 2 and having a length of from about 36 inches to about 72 inches and a point of greatest width of from about 6 inches to 24 inches and a maximum depth from about inch to about 4 inches.

8. The skimming unit as defined in claim 3 and having a length of about 48 inches and a point of greatest width of about 12 inches and a maximum depth of about 1% inches.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 170,887 11/1953 Paden et a1 28012 2,382,335 8/1945 Ruhme 280-12 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,293,039 4/1962 France.

BENJAMIN HERSH, Primary Examiner.

J. SIEGEL, Assistant Examiner. 

